1. Australian 20-20 Cricket is taking a hammering. The spinning and slower decks are too much for us. Not enough firepower in our attack and not enough wicket takers. Brad Hogg has been loose. (I noticed Imran Tahir, the South African spinner is getting a zillion wickets). Faulkner needs to perform at the higher level consistently without making silly comments and getting belted for sixes to lose the game. The Windies will be hard to toss.
2. Upsets in the NRL. Storm smashed. Panthers belted by the Eels. Canberra beat the Bunnies. The changing of the guard would add more interest into the NRL for sure. I know I said it in Round 1, but the officiating this year to date has been too whistle happy. The lack of commonsense to some rulings is beyond belief.
The injury to Newcastle's Alex McKinnon is tragic. Not so amazing is how three tacklers can still be in tackles and get away with it. A much quicker and safer brand will be two men maximum tackles.
3. Swans. Their season start has been a little underwhelming. Patchy and aggressive but wasteful in their kicking. They are missing the leadership of Jude Bolton and need to adjust fast. Never good to see Collingwood winning.
I noticed the Roos revival of Melbourne has stalled. They are too used to losing and don't know how to win and keep a winning attitude.
4, Chelsea. Choking when they did not need it. Man City are suddenly angling and if Liverpool play their cards right, they can seize control (two games in hand I think). No ManU on the scene is a difference indeed!
5. Waratahs. The misery of South Africa has returned. A meek display, but one hell of a head high tackle. Interesting that jake White is stirring Michael Chieka. Must be a mate of Mickey Arthur. The chances of another South African being in charge of one of our national teams in any sport is so far away it is hard to even see it breathe.
6. Has anyone told Lucas Neill that Harry Kewell has retired?
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Wrap - Diamond Dodge
1. The Show - Major League Baseball. A huge event for MLB Opening Night in Sydney - a massive moment in the USA sporting calendar. More knowledge and game tips could have helped the crowd, but it is like the Olympics. Turn up and learn. Diamondbacks outgunned in the hitting box all week and need some new injections there. Trumbo is our Shaun Marsh - feast or famine. The Dodgers were better supported but were not a team that endeared themselves in every angle of their week. The upshot of the whole thing was that our stadium was just superb, the game was given a massive shot in the arm here and many of the current crop of senior and junior players now have magnificent learning and insight into that world of possibility.
2. Adam Scott. On the precipice of the best in the world. A great effort from the lad. When is that broomstick putter being banned?
3. Sheffield Shield. As predicted, everyone worried that the MLB was at the SCG took themselves and their families down to Canberra to watch it live at Manuka. The crowd I think cracked 500 people. Moises Henriques excelled with a 140 under pressure. He and Hazelwood (6/50) took control on Day Three with a 300 plus lead. There will need to be a miracle from one of Shaun Marsh at 500/1, Mitchell Marsh at 50/1 or Marcus North at 40/1.
4. The Wayne Rooney EPL goal from half way v West Ham. Only matched by the Melbourne Heart's Orlando Engelaar. Super stuff to take on the arrogant goal keeper. Liam Reddy has a history of embarrassing gaffes!
5. Australia v Pakistan in the 20-20 World Cup. Honestly, does anyone really care? The ICC are killing the game slowly and the India-England-Australia takeover would have made things better for themselves, but maybe better than the ICC could muster.
6. Manly v Parra. A more determined and resolute effort from Parramatta, but their concentration and leadership under pressure is horrible. Where is young Hunt (Neil's son) for the halves? They need zip there and someone who knows how to steer the team to a victory...who rallies when the two points beckon. They did this five times two years ago.
Those who know baseball will recognise that the Diamondbacks' Parra, was the last batter dismissed in both games. That is a bad sign for the other Parra
7. What is going on with NZ rugby in the Super 15? Perhaps they are getting bored and are happy underperforming. Western Force showing more than in recent memory. Interesting seeing the Reds give the refs a blast. The thought of a betting scandal looms large in those parts.
9. I heard a whisper that Fat Tony was driving that missing jet.
2. Adam Scott. On the precipice of the best in the world. A great effort from the lad. When is that broomstick putter being banned?
3. Sheffield Shield. As predicted, everyone worried that the MLB was at the SCG took themselves and their families down to Canberra to watch it live at Manuka. The crowd I think cracked 500 people. Moises Henriques excelled with a 140 under pressure. He and Hazelwood (6/50) took control on Day Three with a 300 plus lead. There will need to be a miracle from one of Shaun Marsh at 500/1, Mitchell Marsh at 50/1 or Marcus North at 40/1.
4. The Wayne Rooney EPL goal from half way v West Ham. Only matched by the Melbourne Heart's Orlando Engelaar. Super stuff to take on the arrogant goal keeper. Liam Reddy has a history of embarrassing gaffes!
5. Australia v Pakistan in the 20-20 World Cup. Honestly, does anyone really care? The ICC are killing the game slowly and the India-England-Australia takeover would have made things better for themselves, but maybe better than the ICC could muster.
6. Manly v Parra. A more determined and resolute effort from Parramatta, but their concentration and leadership under pressure is horrible. Where is young Hunt (Neil's son) for the halves? They need zip there and someone who knows how to steer the team to a victory...who rallies when the two points beckon. They did this five times two years ago.
Those who know baseball will recognise that the Diamondbacks' Parra, was the last batter dismissed in both games. That is a bad sign for the other Parra
7. What is going on with NZ rugby in the Super 15? Perhaps they are getting bored and are happy underperforming. Western Force showing more than in recent memory. Interesting seeing the Reds give the refs a blast. The thought of a betting scandal looms large in those parts.
9. I heard a whisper that Fat Tony was driving that missing jet.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Wrap - International Court of Commonsense
1. Well it didn’t take long for Parramatta to collapse in a heap. The wooden spoon looks safe already. Now everyone will try and sugercoat it and say it is a ‘blip’, but there are players at that club that simply do not deserve to be in first grade. Most of them are forwards. I am looking forward to see what changes the coach makes. If he makes none or a couple, the club will DEFINITELY get the spoon. If he makes more than that he will be sending a message to the hopeless joke attitude that dominates that joint when things get tough. This is their only hope.
2. Cricket. Mitchell Johnson out of the 20-20 World Cup…another interesting ICC tournament which makes no sense, but perpetuates the ICC rankings and makes some Bangladeshi cash. Good win v Sth Africa. A lot of winning at present is good to see.
3. Brumbies are still the team to beat and the only one that muscles up when the true test and challenge is on. It was so inevitable that the Tahs lost. There are still some VERY disturbing problems with referees in that game. Is the scrum THAT important to the game…so important you dedicate some 15 minutes of a game to setting and re-setting scrums…give me a break. The game is doomed.
4. AFL. GWS were stunning but how bad were the Swans? Terrible. Carlton are already full of excuses.
5. Riccardo. Great drive but a dunce's hat to the Red Bull team. How hopeless to cost the young bloke something Webber managed too infrequently, a podium finish. Sounds like the International Court of Arbitration will be over worked soon.
6. NRL tipping form is harder to find than that Malaysian airline at the minute.
2. Cricket. Mitchell Johnson out of the 20-20 World Cup…another interesting ICC tournament which makes no sense, but perpetuates the ICC rankings and makes some Bangladeshi cash. Good win v Sth Africa. A lot of winning at present is good to see.
3. Brumbies are still the team to beat and the only one that muscles up when the true test and challenge is on. It was so inevitable that the Tahs lost. There are still some VERY disturbing problems with referees in that game. Is the scrum THAT important to the game…so important you dedicate some 15 minutes of a game to setting and re-setting scrums…give me a break. The game is doomed.
4. AFL. GWS were stunning but how bad were the Swans? Terrible. Carlton are already full of excuses.
5. Riccardo. Great drive but a dunce's hat to the Red Bull team. How hopeless to cost the young bloke something Webber managed too infrequently, a podium finish. Sounds like the International Court of Arbitration will be over worked soon.
6. NRL tipping form is harder to find than that Malaysian airline at the minute.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Wrap - Rangirangdoo
1. Dear oh dear. The first round of the NRL and we are being smashed by OVER OFFICIATING by the referees. I have never seen so many penalties. The game has slowed massively. Some good changes with numbers in tackles, but the number of refs and video refs and referrals and analysis is getting over the top. The absolute obsession with fifty replays I thought had been put to bed. Make a decision - and GET ON WITH IT!
How good was Rangirangdoo for Parramatta? It has been ten long years since I have seen them hit the opposition with five hard and heavy hits in a row. Remember it is week one.
2. Gotta love the hoopla around Warner. I noticed Graham Swann is sticking his neck out and ruffling a few feathers. Every goose and swan in the business is lining up to criticise yet Warner keeps producing. He has been doing it for years at every level of the game and is the world's most hated player...He will fail eventually, but in the mean time...
3. Thurston. He is so far ahead in the stakes for the best player in the NRL it is not funny. He was MOTM in four of the five World Cup games and is too good for most teams. Cowboys look like they have a bit extra this year under coach Green. (He needs to retire his checked blue shirt from Saturday night...motel curtains).
4. Very disappointed not to see Toovey talk of "this is ridiculous ...there's gotta be an investigation into this...someone has to be accountable for this". manly simply couldn't catch and went to pieces once B. Stewart left the field.
5. Chelsea surge on and are putting immense pressure on all other teams. Jose M is a winner!
Sydney FC seem to be clinging to hope and doing enough. Western Sydney Wanderers are falling in a heap leaking far too many goals. Even their fans are dummy spitting.
6. O'Driscoll. Pips Gregan as the most capped ever world rugby player and now bowing out. Do you play to beat records? "oh no...I just play and whatever comes my way, comes my way...". Crap.
7. Tiger. Looking awesome in Miami. There may be more majors in him yet.
8. Did anyone notice the JJ Giltinan yachting championships were on the weekend? He had some influence the old JJ Giltinan!
How good was Rangirangdoo for Parramatta? It has been ten long years since I have seen them hit the opposition with five hard and heavy hits in a row. Remember it is week one.
2. Gotta love the hoopla around Warner. I noticed Graham Swann is sticking his neck out and ruffling a few feathers. Every goose and swan in the business is lining up to criticise yet Warner keeps producing. He has been doing it for years at every level of the game and is the world's most hated player...He will fail eventually, but in the mean time...
3. Thurston. He is so far ahead in the stakes for the best player in the NRL it is not funny. He was MOTM in four of the five World Cup games and is too good for most teams. Cowboys look like they have a bit extra this year under coach Green. (He needs to retire his checked blue shirt from Saturday night...motel curtains).
4. Very disappointed not to see Toovey talk of "this is ridiculous ...there's gotta be an investigation into this...someone has to be accountable for this". manly simply couldn't catch and went to pieces once B. Stewart left the field.
5. Chelsea surge on and are putting immense pressure on all other teams. Jose M is a winner!
Sydney FC seem to be clinging to hope and doing enough. Western Sydney Wanderers are falling in a heap leaking far too many goals. Even their fans are dummy spitting.
6. O'Driscoll. Pips Gregan as the most capped ever world rugby player and now bowing out. Do you play to beat records? "oh no...I just play and whatever comes my way, comes my way...". Crap.
7. Tiger. Looking awesome in Miami. There may be more majors in him yet.
8. Did anyone notice the JJ Giltinan yachting championships were on the weekend? He had some influence the old JJ Giltinan!
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Wrap - Wolf of Easy Street
1. So Dave Warner continues his outstanding form - all the while playing the villain. He has really put his money where his mouth is in Capetown. His poise at the crease is something else. Head still and blazing blade. Seven Test tons and plenty to come. He really takes the game away from the opposition.
Clarke has risen to last week's challenge and finally produced. Why the pull shot isn't used more frequently by him is beyond me, but Morkel around the wicket is one of the most awesome assignments in world cricket. Steve Smith is something outstanding too. First innings runs are his specialty, making him a permanent fixture in the team for some time now.
And then there was Watson. As the calamitous Shaun Marsh follows the footsteps of GraHEEEEEEEEEEme Wood, a fellow West Australian, and becomes our latest 'duck or a hundred' batsman...Watson gets another chance. What price a duck? Surely not.
2. Is it just me or is Siddle less aggressive since he gave up meat and started eating tree fulls of bananas? Hence the axe.
Great to see the confidence of Warney all over that side. As bowling coach, he has become media spokesman as well. God help those boys if they win the series. He will have them on a boat like the Wolf of Wall Street, before they know it.
3. Is it true that Richie Richardson, Curtly Ambrose and Andy Roberts were knighted the other day? They have been "sir" since they started playing cricket! Ambrose looked like he had a tarantula glued to his head.
4. Is there a more boring story than ASADA - Danks - The Gazelle? Maybe a Braith Anasta or Jarryd Hayne shot with the family dog or the wife on the back lawn?
5. Chelsea. Mourinhou may well win the EPL thing. He is a fierce sledger, who like Warner, seems to triumph despite all the pressure and commentary.
Unlike Allan Pardew who heat butts opposition players. That was something extraordinary.
6. Waratahs. How good does Folau look? He is finding scoring tries in rugby very easy - but would look better in an Eels jersey. Hopefully his brother is as good.
7. Good to see GWS win a pre season game. That should do them until June for wins.
8. Noticed Federer won in Dubai on the weekend. He is a true legend.
6. How about Melbourne Heart? They are loving it!
Clarke has risen to last week's challenge and finally produced. Why the pull shot isn't used more frequently by him is beyond me, but Morkel around the wicket is one of the most awesome assignments in world cricket. Steve Smith is something outstanding too. First innings runs are his specialty, making him a permanent fixture in the team for some time now.
And then there was Watson. As the calamitous Shaun Marsh follows the footsteps of GraHEEEEEEEEEEme Wood, a fellow West Australian, and becomes our latest 'duck or a hundred' batsman...Watson gets another chance. What price a duck? Surely not.
2. Is it just me or is Siddle less aggressive since he gave up meat and started eating tree fulls of bananas? Hence the axe.
Great to see the confidence of Warney all over that side. As bowling coach, he has become media spokesman as well. God help those boys if they win the series. He will have them on a boat like the Wolf of Wall Street, before they know it.
3. Is it true that Richie Richardson, Curtly Ambrose and Andy Roberts were knighted the other day? They have been "sir" since they started playing cricket! Ambrose looked like he had a tarantula glued to his head.
4. Is there a more boring story than ASADA - Danks - The Gazelle? Maybe a Braith Anasta or Jarryd Hayne shot with the family dog or the wife on the back lawn?
5. Chelsea. Mourinhou may well win the EPL thing. He is a fierce sledger, who like Warner, seems to triumph despite all the pressure and commentary.
Unlike Allan Pardew who heat butts opposition players. That was something extraordinary.
6. Waratahs. How good does Folau look? He is finding scoring tries in rugby very easy - but would look better in an Eels jersey. Hopefully his brother is as good.
7. Good to see GWS win a pre season game. That should do them until June for wins.
8. Noticed Federer won in Dubai on the weekend. He is a true legend.
6. How about Melbourne Heart? They are loving it!
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